Disclaimer, Warnings, Etc. - Please see the first chapter for those.

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-The Haunted-
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Chapter 2 - Old Wounds

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Professor Lupin-Black? Er - Professor?

Remus looked up quickly, startled, coming out of a deep reverie and feeling his cheeks heat up as he saw all his students staring at him. He berated himself silently for daydreaming during class and forced a smile. Yes, Annamaria?

He turned his thoughts back to the lesson as Annamaria asked him questions about the required reading. He normally didn't tune out during class, but the events of last night were still fresh on his mind. To his relief, Sirius had been calmer when they got up that morning, but Remus would bet everything he owned that the note was still on his husband's mind. It was gnawing away at Remus, that was for sure. He couldn't stop part of his mind from repeating sections of the note back to him... No doubt you will find this note an unwelcome intrusion into your life'... I personally witnessed one of these murders when you and I were but sixteen years old ... I shall continue my investigation, and as soon as I have proof I shall not hesitate in reporting to the authorities'... What kind of sadistic person would want to do this to them? He and Sirius had never, in all the years since the murders, given anyone any cause to hate or harm them...

But what if it was the truth? Perhaps this mystery note-writer knew what was going on? Remus knew he wouldn't be able to stand it if Sirius was sent to prison - and there was, as Sirius had said, the probability that Remus would go to prison as well for aiding and abetting a criminal.

And on and on it went for the rest of the day. Every second of free time Remus had was spent dwelling on the same thoughts. He was absolutely frazzled by the time the final bell rang. He dismissed his class with a preoccupied smile, his mind a million miles away. A few of the students gave him concerned looks as they passed his desk, and the last girl to pass paused. Are you okay, Professor?

Quite all right, Edith, Remus assured her.

You're not yourself today, she persisted. Are you sure you didn't have a fight with your lover? Her eyes lingered for a moment on the framed picture of himself and Sirius which sat beside his pot of pens and pencils.

No, everything's fine. Remus stood and walked her to the door. Sorry if I worried you... I suppose I just didn't sleep too well last night. That was an understatement.

Edith smiled shyly and tucked a lock of chestnut hair behind her ear (she was, in fact, one of many students at the school who had a crush on Remus). All right, Professor... I hope you sleep better tonight. Goodbye.

Goodbye, Edith. Remus watched as she walked away, then turned back to his desk. He sighed unhappily and slowly collected his papers. He had a lot of essays to mark, but he suddenly felt very tired. Deciding to bring them home and read them after supper, he tossed the essays into his briefcase and turned off the lights. As he locked the door behind him, the click-click of high heels sounded, announcing the arrival of Minerva McGonagall, head of the English Department.



He turned. Hello, Minerva. Something wrong?

She frowned. I don't know... but, well - a strange man just showed up at the office, looking for you. I didn't know who he was and he wouldn't give me a name... When I asked if he wanted me to fetch you, he said it wasn't necessary, just asked if I could give this to you. She held out a small, blue envelope.

Er - thanks, Minerva, Remus said uncertainly. He took the envelope and frowned down at it. There was no stamp or return address, only neat writing on the front reading Professor R.J. Lupin-Black'. He stuck it in the front pocket of his blazer, resolving to open it as soon as he got home. But as he climbed into his car, he decided to pay Sirius a visit instead, and see what he thought.

His lover worked in a garage in the heart of London, repairing motorbikes and cars. He was really quite good with mechanical things, a skill Remus blessed - Sirius could fix anything that went wrong at home, even things that Remus had long since given up as hopeless. The professor paused in the doorway, looking for his mate.

Sirius was standing next to a dilapidated-looking car, dressed in coveralls with his hair braided and pinned up out of the way, wiping his hands on a greasy rag and talking to an agitated, overweight man in a business suit. The businessman threw up his hands in what Remus could only imagine to be despair (or perhaps anger), then stomped off towards the counter. Sirius shook his head, looked around, and saw Remus. With a grin, he stuffed the rag into his pocket and came over. Hi, Remmie.

They didn't kiss, because Sirius' co-workers were a little squeamish about such displays.

What's wrong? You look a little peaky.

Er - Remus shrugged. Just... thinking. About last night.

Sirius looked around, slightly nervous. No one was paying the slightest bit of attention to them, but he lowered his voice anyway. Yeah... it's... it's been on my mind, too. But I guess we can't really do anything about it, can we? We'll just have to be more careful from now on. He raised his voice back to normal. What are you planning on for supper, anyway? I was hoping for that fried chicken you make so well - you know, your mum's recipe -

Remus could tell from the look Sirius gave him that the subject of the note was closed for now. I'm on my way home now, so I'll stop by the market and pick up some chicken.

All right. Sirius looked back over his shoulder. The fat businessman had finished his discussion with the counterman and was coming towards them, thunderclouds on his brow. I'll see you at home, then. Love you.

Love you too. Remus smiled up at him. Good luck.

Sirius rolled his eyes and went to meet the fat businessman. Remus climbed back into the car and headed for the market. He didn't remember the strange blue envelope until he was standing at the meat counter, waiting his turn. Oh, well. He'd bring it up after supper.

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I swear, I'll never live to see forty, Sirius grumbled later that night, tucking into his chicken and glazed carrots. I can't believe some people - that stupid bloke you saw today, did you see his car? A complete mess, that. Crashed it head-on into a tree - while he was drunk, I expect - and wants me to fix it for less than five thousand pounds. Honestly... He sighed unhappily. I tell you, some people are so bloody stupid!

Remus made a sympathetic noise and dished out more chicken. Rough day, then? I mean, rougher than it was when I arrived?

Ah, I've had worse, Sirius said with a shrug, digging happily into his second helping. How was school?

Fine... I meant to tell you, though - Minerva gave me this. Remus pushed the small envelope across the table. She says some strange bloke wanted to see me, but when she asked him his name, he wouldn't say. What d'you suppose that was all about?

Sirius picked up the envelope and studied it, chewing on carrots. He flipped it over and frowned. Dunno, but if you ask me, it sounds pretty dodgy. Have you opened this yet?

No... I figured I'd run it by you first, Remus said, laying down his fork and taking the envelope back. He started to open it, and hesitated. Do you... do you think it might have anything to do with last night's note?

Who can be sure? Open it and see.

Remus tore open the envelope and drew out a neatly folded piece of paper, the same shade of blue as the envelope. He unfolded it to find more neat script. He read it out loud.

To Professor R.J. Lupin-Black, Greetings.

I see my note of last night had little, if any, effect on yourself and Mr. Black. I must admit that you have impressed me. I did think you would become rather nervous after hearing what I had to say. I applaud you.
But still, the matter is of considerable concern. I still cannot let your lover remain at large when he is guilty of such a grievous crime. Though I am suffering a lack of sufficient evidence, do not breathe easy. I am watching you both all the time, and I will catch you the moment either of you steps out of line.

I bid you adieu.

-A Friend'

There was a long pause after Remus finished reading. Then Sirius dropped his fork with a loud clatter, making his lover jump. He rose from his chair and strode to the window, glaring out into the night. Remus glanced back at the note, rereading it. I am watching you both all the time'... was the note-writer watching them now? How could he possibly keep an eye on them both every day, when they worked at two completely different places? Was he just bluffing, to make them scared? Well, he didn't need to try very hard - Remus had been scared since the night before.

Sirius pounded his fist down on the counter. Remus jumped again, his already frayed nerves on edge. Sirius turned to him, and Remus was startled to see tears in his eyes. I mean, dammit! Haven't we been through enough? He sank slowly to the floor beside Remus' chair, resting his head against his husband's knee. Sometimes I think it would be better if we didn't get this far, he muttered. Though he was trying to sound bitter, his voice wavered.

Siri -

If Da had killed me... we wouldn't be going through this. Sirius whispered. I - I dream about him sometimes, you know.

Remus' heart sped up. He and Sirius never discussed their nightmares with each other. Living it had been bad enough, but the way Sirius tossed and turned some nights, moaning or even crying in his sleep, had prompted Remus to try and talk to his lover about it. Sirius flat-out refused to talk about his father, but it looked like that was about to change. Remus kept quiet, knowing an interruption might make Sirius clam up, and stroked Sirius' long hair as his husband talked.

I see him... the way he was t- that night. Not the way he looked after you... h- hurt him... but the way he looked when he saw us in bed together. I- I knew he hated me, but that look was what really drove it home for me. I realised he not only hated me, but would do everything he could to make me either miserable or dead. I've been over it a hundred, a thousand times in my mind, and I can't figure out what went wrong. I really can't. He sniffed. When I was really small... I guess I was four or so, I couldn't have been very old, Regulus wasn't born yet. But anyway... I remember Da picking me up sometimes, and hugging me... he and Mum used to take me for walks, and I'd hold their hands and walk between them... they'd pick me up and swing me.... Da was different then. He was... he was wonderful. But he seemed to change overnight.

Remus ran his fingers through Sirius' hair. How so, my love?

I don't know, Sirius said dully. All of a sudden, he started coming home angry. Then he was just angry all the time. He started hitting us, but I got Mum's share just before and after Regulus was born. I don't know what happened to him.... I wish I did. I wish I knew what had made him the way he was, because maybe then I'd understand him. He closed his eyes. A single tear ran down his cheek, making a small wet spot on Remus' corduroy trousers. He didn't love me anymore. He didn't love any of us anymore...

Oh, Siri. Remus bent to kiss the top of Sirius' head. Don't think about it... it's not worth it... your mother loved you, after all... and Regulus... and I love you. Very much.

Sirius reached up to hug him. I know. But... Remmie... it's not right. A father hating his son enough to try everything and anything possible to destroy him. He hurt you. He hurt you just to see me in pain.

It's okay, darling. It's all over now. It doesn't matter what your father did to you or me or anyone. It's all over. He's dead, he can't hurt anyone ever again. Remus murmured soothingly. You've got to stop blaming yourself for all this. It's not your fault, and it never was. If anything, blame me. Blame me for loving you so much that I can't bear to be apart from you. I know it sounds heartless, but most people would have abandoned you after finding out about your father. But I just couldn't do it... I couldn't leave you there. I brought it all on myself, but it was worth it just to be with you.

Another long silence passed. Sirius let out a shuddery sigh, raising his tearstained face to smile at Remus. You're right, Remmie. You've cared for me more than anything. Being loved by you... makes everything else pale in comparison. Not many people get to be loved the way you love me.

Remus stood, taking Sirius by the hand and helping him to his feet. He leaned up and touched the tip of his nose to Sirius'. Thank you. And you know, not many people have the opportunity to love someone like you. He squeezed Sirius' hand. Come to bed, my love.

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Across the street, a man lowered his binoculars as the shades of the bedroom window he was watching were closed. He had been watching the proceedings in the kitchen ever since Black had arrived home, and was pleased to see that the notes had caused a bit of an uproar. It had also pleased him to see that the two men had reacted exactly as he had predicted. Their closeness, and his ability to predict their responses, would come in handy later on. He planned to utterly destroy Black, and Black's little lover was an integral part of the plan.

Sweeping his long brown hair out of his eyes, the man lit a cigarette (his one vice) and looked up at the moon. He had his reasons for wanting to destroy Black, mainly because Black had been the destruction of his life twenty years ago. He was determined to put a stop to it all, though. He was going to put a stop to the hell his life had become since then. His fingers wandered absentmindedly to his throat, where he wore an old, golden cross. It was the only reminder he had of that sweet time which had come so suddenly to an end when Black and Lupin met. He touched it, then turned to leave. He smiled to himself. He would give them time to stew in uncertainty, time to reflect over the past and torment themselves with old memories. But not too much time. Soon, very soon, phase two would begin.

To Be Continued...

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(A/N: So, this mystery guy... is he freaking you out yet? Or at least making you curious? Pay attention to him. He will become very important. I promise, you'll learn a lot more about him as we go along, as well.

Most of this chapter was originally written out by hand while I was sitting on the boat. I love the boat. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE R-RATED! Did you hear me? R-RATED! FanFiction has been running a tight regime lately, and I don't want to get booted off because my story isn't rated high enough. So next chapter, look for this story in the R category! Thanks!)